Author Topic: Trackball 'clicking' / 'brrrr-ing' (Read 11451 times)

Minwah · « **on:** September 09, 2004, 08:04:44 am »

I have noticed that my Happ 3" trackball sometimes makes a wierd 'clicking' noise when it is being spun. It doesn't always do it, and in certain directions it seems to be noticably worse than others. The 'clicking' can also be felt slightly through the ball.

It has done it since new, and I have oiled the bearings...has anyone else had this?

juggernaut · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2004, 08:22:13 am »

could try swapping the bearings....are the rollers dirty by any chance?

Witchboard · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2004, 08:44:00 am »

I don't know what you mean by clicking, but my 3" Happs made a funny noise too when I first got it. Kinda like a "Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" sound that slowed down as the ball did. It only did it in one direction. First thing I did was swap around all the bearings, but it stayed in the same spot. I finally figured out that the shaft was either bent or not round to begin with. I ordered a replacement set from Bob and it fixed my problem.

Chris · « **Reply #3 on:** September 09, 2004, 08:55:52 am »

Hmm... I have a similar issue; I've always suspected one of the rollers wasn't true round. I wonder if this is a common issue....

Minwah · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2004, 09:19:09 am »

Quote from: Witchboard on September 09, 2004, 08:44:00 am

I don't know what you mean by clicking, but my 3" Happs made a funny noise too when I first got it. Kinda like a "Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" sound that slowed down as the ball did. It only did it in one direction. First thing I did was swap around all the bearings, but it stayed in the same spot. I finally figured out that the shaft was either bent or not round to begin with. I ordered a replacement set from Bob and it fixed my problem.

Thanks, I think it might be the same problem...

monsterbaldy · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2004, 10:25:57 am »

I had the same problem with my Happ track ball. However, I loosened the four screws that hold it in place quite a bit and now it is as smooth as can be. Prior to doing this it had some clicking and felt gritty.

-ben

simplygriff · « **Reply #6 on:** September 09, 2004, 10:38:57 am »

Mine does the same thing and has since I took it out of the box. Exactly which 4 screws did you loosen? The 4 holding the thing together or 4 internal screws? Mines encased in a tight box being used as a removable part of my CP. I just dont feel like taking the whole thing apart to fix something I've come to live with.
-G

Chris · « **Reply #7 on:** September 09, 2004, 10:49:25 am »

Quote from: monsterbaldy on September 09, 2004, 10:25:57 am

I had the same problem with my Happ track ball. However, I loosened the four screws that hold it in place quite a bit and now it is as smooth as can be. Prior to doing this it had some clicking and felt gritty.

I had heard that the case being scewed together too tight will cause this problem, but loosening the screws didn't fix it for me...

Witchboard · « **Reply #8 on:** September 09, 2004, 11:15:22 am »

Mine still did what I described even with the top of the case removed. It may not be the same problem or maybe mine was more severe.

clanggedin · « **Reply #9 on:** September 09, 2004, 11:19:30 am »

I have an Imperial trackball and it has done this since it was new. I took it apart and applied superlubricant to the bearings and shaft and that softened the noise. I just don't want to buy new shaft and bearings and have the same problem.

It's definately something I can live with unless I play someone else that doesn't have this problam and notice a huge difference in play.

Minwah · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2005, 10:33:39 am »

OK I finally got round to attempting to fix this problem! I tried loosening the screws to no avail...so I ordered some new bearings & rollers from Bob Roberts but this hasn't made any noticable difference either

It's not the end of the world but since Happ trackballs are supposed to be the best (& they're pretty expensive) it's damn annoying. One of my mates even said 'why's it making that noise' when he had a go once which shows how noticable it is.

Anyone else have any suggestions? I just can't really see anything obviously wrong with the thing. Maybe the plastic where the bearings sit in is not true??

RayB · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2005, 11:55:14 am »

Quote from: Minwah on August 23, 2005, 10:33:39 am

Maybe the plastic where the bearings sit in is not true??

It must be false. (

)

jcrouse · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2005, 11:58:27 am »

The answer is quite obvious. If it clicks when you spin it, just don't spin the darn thing. That will fix your problem.

John

PS....Leave us know if this works.

Minwah · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2005, 12:00:33 pm »

*bangs head on desk*

You've been hanging round Orc too long John...

Elfman · « **Reply #14 on:** August 29, 2005, 09:49:43 am »

I too am having this problem. Had it since I got the TB from Happs.

I haven't tried the suggestions above but will probably give it a go tonight with 3 in1 oil in hand and make sure everything is lubed up properly.

Curious to know any other thoughts anyone might have around this.

drunkatuw · « **Reply #15 on:** August 29, 2005, 10:50:55 am »

I always thought this was normal since my happs golden tee trackball has done this since the day I got it. But a few weeks ago when I was playing GT in a bar, I noticed that it spins much smoother and quieter.

Hopefully this thread will result in an easy solution...although all games so far have been very playable with my trackball the way it is now.

nickbuol · « **Reply #16 on:** August 29, 2005, 11:22:46 am »

I ordered a new 3" Happs from Ponyboy, and a friend at work ordered off of eBay. Both were new, and they both make this noise. I just figured that it was "normal"...

On both of these, I seem to recall it being "noisier" when rolling to the right, but I will have to verify tonight...

Minwah · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2005, 06:28:46 am »

Quote from: nickbuol on August 29, 2005, 11:22:46 am

I ordered a new 3" Happs from Ponyboy, and a friend at work ordered off of eBay. Both were new, and they both make this noise. I just figured that it was "normal"...

On both of these, I seem to recall it being "noisier" when rolling to the right, but I will have to verify tonight...

Yeah mine did it from new as well, so I guess it is normal. Perhaps it gets better over time (I played a 3d bowling game with the same trackball in it the other day and it was fine).

I think mine is worst when rolling at an angle, but it seems pretty random really.

nickbuol · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2005, 08:40:38 am »

I used mine again last night, and a sraight up or down roll is fine, but anything that hits the side roller (which includes angles) I get the "clicking / brrrr-ing" thing.

Elfman · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2005, 09:43:34 am »

Well I opened my trackball up last night and made sure that all my bearings are rollers were oiled up. Just to be sure, I gave them a good application of 3 in 1 and it still seems to be happening. Like everyone here, it is certainly bearable and doesn't happen all the time.

To me, when I had the trackball open, most of the noise was coming from the diagonal roller (not the X and Y rollers). It seemed no amount of lubrication would fix it. I am beginning to agree with Minwah that the housing they sit in doesn't seem to be 'true' and causing slight variations.

So I guess for now, I will just have to live with it but feel I shouldn't have to since I this seems to be the "best" trackball for arcade cabinets.

Minwah · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2005, 10:05:41 am »

Quote from: Elfman on August 30, 2005, 09:43:34 am

So I guess for now, I will just have to live with it but feel I shouldn't have to since I this seems to be the "best" trackball for arcade cabinets.

Yeah, that's what bugs me. I've recommended these to people before but with so many apparently faulty/iffy ones I will think twice in future.

Zakk · « **Reply #21 on:** August 30, 2005, 10:54:11 am »

If it spins nicely, and tracks well in games, then don't worry about it, use it as an excuse to turn the volume up on your cab!

That otta take care of that pesky noise!

u_rebelscum · « **Reply #22 on:** August 30, 2005, 02:19:49 pm »

My happs 3" TBs started out with the burring, but has quited down a lot over time.

FWIW, my original only got better after I "gently but firmly" constantly pressed down on the ball while rolling it in a circle. My kensington TB instructions said to do this to help break in the bearings (& rollers). If you try this, do NOT put your whole weight on it; about 10-15 lbs presure should do, and keep moving the ball for 1-2 minutes. I could feel a minute bump/bend in one of the rollers when I first did this: I guess the pushing and rolling speeded up the roller's wear a little, and wore out the bump. OTOH, the two I built (mostly from parts from BobRoberts) started really bad, worse than my happs built one, but improved mostly after lightening the six case screws a little. Doing the presure roll on them didn't result in a noticable change.

And even with the burring, my first happs had a longer roll then the betson (barely) or wico (a lot). [sigh] One of these days I'll actually finish all my TB CPs, and my cab with changable CPs, ... and update analog+, and.... $:-\$

Kremmit · « **Reply #23 on:** August 31, 2005, 01:41:55 am »

Quote from: u_rebelscum on August 30, 2005, 02:19:49 pm

One of these days I'll actually finish all my TB CPs, and my cab with changable CPs, ... and update analog+, and.... $:-\$

You've got those in the wrong order, man. Analog+ needs to move to the front of the list.

Minwah · « **Reply #24 on:** August 31, 2005, 05:34:29 am »

Thanks for the tips URebel. I haven't finished my control panel(s) yet so to be honest the trackball hasn't had an awful lot of use...we'll see how it goes (& turn the volume up in the meantime

)

MiKman · « **Reply #25 on:** August 31, 2005, 04:18:51 pm »

I had same problem with my imperial 3" from day one. I replaced the ball and it virtually went away. upon closer inspection of the old ball I notice one or two smallish dents which I believe were the culprits. Inspect your balls and see what you can see.

Elfman · « **Reply #26 on:** August 31, 2005, 04:20:01 pm »

Quote from: MiKman on August 31, 2005, 04:18:51 pm

Inspect your balls and see what you can see.

Like shooting fish in a barrel...

Elfman · « **Reply #27 on:** August 31, 2005, 04:22:41 pm »

Quote from: MiKman on August 31, 2005, 04:18:51 pm

I had same problem with my imperial 3" from day one. I replaced the ball and it virtually went away.

MiKman · « **Reply #28 on:** August 31, 2005, 04:26:45 pm »

Mine too was brand spanking new, took it out of the plastic myself. dunno maybe they outsource their ball making to some el cheapo outfit...

muttonchop · « **Reply #29 on:** August 31, 2005, 11:30:18 pm »

mine is JUST out of the box and it burrs =( happps 2.something inch =((((( made me sad, thought they "rollled a bit better"

should i try to get a replacement?

Mark70 · « **Reply #30 on:** October 19, 2005, 04:03:45 pm »

I remember playing golden tee in a couple of palces and the trackball only made the brrrrrrrrrr sound when you absolutely wail on it.

Minwah · « **Reply #31 on:** October 19, 2005, 07:52:22 pm »

Quote from: Mark70 on October 19, 2005, 04:03:45 pm

I remember playing golden tee in a couple of palces and the trackball only made the brrrrrrrrrr sound when you absolutely wail on it. Like, really fling it fast. How many games require that kind of abuse?

Golf, bowling, darts etc. games usually take a bit of a hammering, but my trackball has this problem even at low speeds

Quote

In my mind it seemed like it would be a loose ball. Like there was a bit of a space between it and the bearings. a small space at high speed would allow the ball to "bounce around between the bearings wouldn't it? Then again I developed that theory before I knew anything about trackballs. Is there a way to "tighten" the bearings? or would that make things worse?

Makes sense, but there's nothing you can do to adjust the rollers (to my knowlegde). The rollers fit inside the bearings, and then the bearings clip into moulded clips/clamp things in the trackball main housing. This determines the height of the rollers. My theory (mentioned briefly earlier) is that maybe these clips aren't as accurate as they used to be, or maybe some are OK some are not...I don't know.

Quote

Interesting tip on the ball replacement. I'll let you guys know how mine performs once I get a cab built.

Please do. I must confess that my trackball hasn't had a real load of use, but enough to break it in and then some. I need to break in the new bearings I got and see if they get any better (I doubt it).

J-Rod · « **Reply #32 on:** October 19, 2005, 07:55:28 pm »

Can you post a pic of the inside of the trackball? On my Imperial from a GT machine, it uses slotted discs to optical pickups on the pcbs, I could imagine a sound would be made if the optical disc moved left or right and rubbed on the optics. Of course I don't have any clue what the inside of yours looks like.

markrvp · « **Reply #33 on:** October 19, 2005, 10:01:09 pm »

I have two HAPP 3" trackballs. Both of them will from time to time roll a little rough making a different noise and not feeling perfectly smooth. Both trackballs have blue translucent balls.

Tonight I played on a new Golden Tee Live machine with a Happ 3" trackball. It had a white ball. This was the smoothest trackball I have ever used. It rolled with no effort. I was incredibly impressed.

Is there a weight difference between the blue translucent and the white ball?

spidermonkey · « **Reply #34 on:** October 19, 2005, 11:33:33 pm »

I had bought a brand new 3" TB from Happ for my first cab. It did exactly what Minwah's does. I sent the berings and rollers back and got replacements but they didn't help. I sent it back for a refund. I then bought a brand new 3" Betson/Imperial with a translucent green ball.For a while it was nice and quiet and I loved it. In fact, I was crowing about how smooth it was on these very forums way back when

. Then the ole bull$**t started again. It didn't click like the Happ model but it made the famous brrruuummmbbr vibration when playing golf games

. So then someone told me to get rid of the polycarbonate translucent ball and replace it with a plain white or black solid resin ball because they have more density (heavier) and are usually more true then the polycarbonate translucent balls. I did this and it got rid of some of the vibration but a far cry from perfect

. I gave up and left it that way since I was about to start work on a 2nd cab. For my 2nd cab I decided to say "screw Happ and Betson/Imperial" and I purchased a brand new 3" Wico with a plain white resin ball. I immediately took it apart and lubricated the berings with super refined oil. (the same oil that barbers use to lube their electric hair clippers/shears). I've had the Wico for quite a while now and no problems what so ever. Not too long ago I replaced the resin ball with a translucent purple acrylic contact juggling ball and it rolls like its made of ice

. I think people should try the Wicos as an alternative as you don't hear much about them on the boards. Mostly hear about Happ,Betson/Imperial and Ultimarc/Suzo T-balls for some reason. The next upgrade I want for my Wico is the tune-up kit with the better encoder wheels if they'll fit as I'm pretty sure they were designed for Betsons. Anyone know if they would fit on a Wico TB ?

Minwah · « **Reply #35 on:** October 20, 2005, 05:58:55 am »

Quote from: J-Rod on October 19, 2005, 07:55:28 pm

Can you post a pic of the inside of the trackball? On my Imperial from a GT machine, it uses slotted discs to optical pickups on the pcbs, I could imagine a sound would be made if the optical disc moved left or right and rubbed on the optics. Of course I don't have any clue what the inside of yours looks like.

Sounds similar, but I have checked this and the wheel is definately not rubbing (you can see it without taking it apart).

Quote from: markrvp on October 19, 2005, 10:01:09 pm

Is there a weight difference between the blue translucent and the white ball?

Possibly. My ball is white though, fwiw.

Mark70 · « **Reply #36 on:** October 20, 2005, 08:50:15 am »

My track ball arrived yesterday. Actually UPS left it unattended on my doorstep when nobody was home. I wasn't too impressed with that. Especially since it was windy and raining; but I have a covered porch, nothing was wet and nobody stole my $250 worth of arcade gear, so I guess I'm happy.

But I digress.

I pulled the trackball out of the bag, held it as level as I could and rolled it around. I gave it a good hard fling and it didn't burrrr, but it does have a bit of a clickyness to it in the Y axis. I'm hoping that this will work in.

Incidentally I have the standard Happ High Lip with a white ball.

Minwah · « **Reply #37 on:** October 20, 2005, 10:37:43 am »

Quote from: Mark70 on October 20, 2005, 08:50:15 am

My track ball arrived yesterday. Actually UPS left it unattended on my doorstep when nobody was home. I wasn't too impressed with that. Especially since it was windy and raining; but I have a covered porch, nothing was wet and nobody stole my $250 worth of arcade gear, so I guess I'm happy.

UPS are terrible. You're lucky they didn't smash it up before it even arrived at your house.

Good luck with the trackball...

ahofle · « **Reply #38 on:** October 20, 2005, 12:42:03 pm »

Not sure if this is still an option after all this time, but I would pursue having Happ provide you with a replacement.


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